Leveling Rake

Abstract

A rake for leveling loose particulate matter on a ground surface is described. The rake head is constructed of a series of bars that are mounted in a mounting spar and spaced a fixed distance apart from each other. A rake handle is movably attached to the rake head. The bars may be made of round bar stock or channel stock. The surface of the bar that is in contact with the loose particulate matter that is to be leveled is a smooth continuous surface. Moving the rake head over ground that is covered with loose particulate matter will move the particulate matter around, pushing excess material into recesses and thereby leveling the surface.

1 : A rake head for leveling loose matter on a ground surface, said rake head comprising:
 a plurality of bars fixedly assembled on one or more mounting spars and spaced a distance apart from each other;   
   
   
       2 : The rake head of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bars includes at least two round bars. 
   
   
       3 : The rake head of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bars includes at least two bars made of channel stock. 
   
   
       4 : The rake head of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting spar has a mounting edge that is flat and wherein the bars are mounted on the flat edge, so as to provide a flat operating plane when the rake head is placed on the ground for leveling the loose matter. 
   
   
       5 : The rake head of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting spar has a mounting edge that is curved and wherein the bars are mounted on the curved edge, so as to provide a curved configuration of bars when the rake head is placed on the ground for leveling loose matter. 
   
   
       6 : The rake head of  claim 5 , wherein the curved edge of the mounting bar has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the leading edge has a steeper curve than the trailing edge. 
   
   
       7 : The rake head of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle bracket for movably attaching a handle to the rake head, wherein the handle bracket is mounted on one of the one or more mounting spars. 
   
   
       8 : A method of leveling loose matter on a ground surface to a desired degree of evenness, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) moving a rake comprising a rake head constructed of a plurality of bars over a ground surface covered with loose particulate material;   (b) providing a laser level at a stationary location;   (c) providing a signal emitter on said rake; and   (d) receiving an audio-signal from said laser level indicating that said ground surface has a desired height that corresponds to a sensor height on said laser level, said audio-signal being emitted when a signal from said signal emitter communicates with a sensor on said laser level.